ABOUT Baltic Underwear joins Macandi Showrooms

Maggie and Chiara recently visited the D.Efect team in Vilnius, Lithuania and made a trip to V2 Concept store; stockist of D.Efect, Margiela, Opening Ceremony, Ally Capellino. The girls came across a rack of simple but amazing quality underwear, ABOUT.

ABOUT is an innovative underwear brand from the Baltics created following the contemporary lifestyle tendencies and a well-motivated approach to product and design. The company is the biggest and most advanced ready-made jersey garment producer in the Baltic States and Central/Eastern Europe.
Product, packaging and price are all fantastic and so the girls set about bringing the brand to the UK. 

ABOUT is positioned as a “progressive specialist” brand in the mid-price segment. We loved the 5 different programmes on offer which incorporate technical fabrics, innovative techniques and an understated design ethos. Fabrics are often enriched with extra properties like aloe vera and beeswax to condition the skin whilst wearing the garments. 

ABOUT CLASSIC - comfortable essentials for everyday use. Classic cuts are enriched with antibacterial and skin-caring /BeesWax/ finishing. We are sure that these garments will become your favourites after the first try.

An extension to the CLASSIC collection is  the ClassicWOOL line which is made from finest Merino wool and is meant for colder seasons. All Merino wool garments are machine washable and remain soft and comfortable for the life of the garment.

ABOUT BUSINESS - suited to the formal dress code. A perfect blend of fine fabric and tight silhouettes will help you to stay in shape all day at the office and after working hours. Additionally processed with SilverPlus ions, these products have useful odour-neutralizing and antibacterial properties.

ABOUT ACTIVE - breathable structure of the fabric and fibre properties used for this line gives the optimal performance during your active lesure time. Worn indoors or outdoors, special double polypropylene/Modal*  fabric helps you to maintain the ideal temperature when in contact with skin.

ABOUT TREND - a seasonal line of underwear and sleepwear for the fashion-conscious buyer. It is updated every season with an interpretation of global style trends in our “Baltic” way.

ABOUT SENSE - a more sophisticated and intimate collection of undies and sleepwear dedicated exclusively to women. SilkProteins give a skin-nourishing finish.

There is also a Never Out of Stock programme to ensure your store remains fully stocked throughout the season.

RRP'S £15 - 50 (mark up 2.7)

Please contact Maggie on maggie.smart@macandi.com or call on 0207 242 3734

In Conversation With…. Pomandere

We bring you the first instalment of In Conversation With.. where we have a cup of tea and a catch up with our designers.

Having met in Paris 3 years ago we were delighted when Pomandere joined Macandi Showrooms for the SS12 season ; impeccable Italian quality, luxe tactile fabrics and laid back distinctive style have made it a firm favourite amongst the team.

Often found alongside Isabel Marant, Golden Goose, Folk and Humanoid we are proud to have Pomandere stocked in some of the UK's most stunning boutiques known for their taste and thoughtfully edited selections. Pomandere can be found at Envoy of Belfast, The Cross, Neilson, Ruby & Tallulah, Emporio to name but a few.

In Conversation with… Pomandere's Carlo Zanuso.

Carlo, when did you first become interested in fashion?

I believe my interest for fashion is an intrinsic factor of my life, being brought up by parents who are producers. In fact, I have always followed my parents' job with passion and interest. They have actually made me love this job!

Therefore, I think my interest in fashion has always been in my bones and it has been nurtured with my personal experience.

What training did you have? 

My official training could look quite odd….I graduated in Economics at Cattolica University in Milan. But then I had my first experiences in the sales department at Staff International, an important international company of ready-to-wear. Thanks to this, I learnt the principles of managing an organisation, from taking the orders, processing them to their production and distribution. Moreover, I learnt the importance of customer satisfaction, which is fundamental to me.

Your parents owned a shirting workshop, how much has your family's business shaped Pomandere?

I believe our familiar tradition is the basis and the DNA of the brand. In fact, I always try to create garments that can express that artisan design far from the industrial homogenisation of many of the brands in the industry .

What's the biggest lesson you've learned as your first decade as a designer?

The most important thing for a designer is always aiming at the highest product quality, in order to reach the highest satisfaction of the customer who decides to buy and wear Pomandere.

Where do you get your inspiration for new collections?

I normally get inspiration from vintage. I normally look at garments, books, pictures, movies which I can find at flea markets.

How would you describe Pomandere’s brand identity and vision?

I believe in a refined everyday-life. I think Pomandere is understated elegance that makes people who are wearing it comfortable. At the base of Pomadere, there is attention for detail combined with a dedicated choice of natural materials and fabrics.

Would you want to collaborate with anyone?

I have never thought of collaborating with anyone in specific, but I have always believed in co-branding. Maybe, I'd rather collaborate with a perfume brand more than a fashion company, as I would like to experiment with fragrancies and spices mix. 

Are there any things you wouldn't do design wise?

I cannot think to something that I wouldn't do…as long as it is an eco-friendly activity.

Who, according to you, has good dress sense?

There are a lot of people I admire, but I believe that women like Emanuelle Alt are always able to be very feminine while interpreting masculine looks. I think this is very important to have a good dress sense.

What do you think of British style?

Contemporary and colourful! It is a renovation of the classics. 
I think about soft fabrics in warm colours, I think about a practical style which is never ordinary.

If you could, who would you love to dress?

I would love to design a dress for Sofia Coppola!

Do you think you need a philosophy to create interesting clothes?

I think a designer needs to know very well how clothes are technically made and produced. Only by combing creativity, fantasy and fabrics you can create originality.

What makes a good collection?

Innovation comes from the use of different colours and fabrics. It is fundamental to me to be able to combine the right fabric with the right shape.

What advice would you give a budding designer?

I would suggest to follow the birth of every garment and the feedback of your clientele. Only by personally following your product, you will be able to express what you believe in.

I think it is very important to combine your personal taste with the market needs always maintaining your identity

What has been your biggest achievement in Pomandere so far?

I love spotting Pomandere on people on the street. The most beautiful thing is seeing how every person combines their own look with my clothes. It is always a big satisfaction!

Macandi Showrooms will be presenting Pomadere AW14 at the following locations:

Tranoi Preview - Paris - 25 - 27th Jan 
Who's Next - Paris - 25 - 28th Jan
Pure - London - 9 - 11th Feb
Tranoi - Paris 28th feb - 3 March

and at Macandi Showrooms, 14 Emerald Street, London WC1N 3QA from 25th Jan - 26th Feb 2014.

Please contact Caroline Millar for appointments and further information caroline@macandi.com T: 0207 242 3734

www.macandi.com
www.pomandere.it

Humanoid AW14 Selling Dates and Locations

We are dusting down our suitcases in anticipation of the AW14 selling season, the first date on our calendar is a trip to Arnhem, Holland on January 9th for the Humanoid AW14 collection presentation. 

Always one of our favourite trips. Not just due to the unveiling of the new collection but it's also an excuse to pay a visit to the Humanoid store. Housed in a former church there are few independent stores of this size and scale. The entire Humanoid collection is hung beautifully amongst complimentary collections such as Acne, Isabel Marant, Les Prairies Des Paris and menswear collections from the likes of Folk and Hope. Also in the mix a careful selection of lifestyle products like Aesop and some stunning pieces of furniture. Always dangerous for our bank balances but inspiring for our merchandising as Sandra (Founder and Creative Director of Humanoid) puts so much thought and love into the merchandising and displays.

We will be selling AW14 from January 20th - Feb 27th in London and the collection will also be at the following trade fairs - please contact Caroline Millar for details and appointments - caroline@macandi.com +44(0)207 242 3734

PREMIUM BERLIN
14-16 january 2014
station-berlin, hall 7
BERLIN | GERMANY
www.premiumexhibitions.com

CIFF
30 january - 2 february 2014
bella center
COPENHAGEN | DENMARK
www.ciff.dk

PREMIUM DUSSELDORF
1-3 february 2014
hammer hallen
DUSSELDORF | GERMANY
www.premiumexhibitions.com

PURE LONDON
9-11 february 2014
olympia london
LONDON | UNITED KINGDOM
www.purelondon.com

PREMIUM MUNCHEN
15-18 february 2014
zenith halle
MUNCHEN | GERMANY
www.premiumexhibitions.com

D&A NEW YORK
21-23 february 2014
center 548
NEW YORK | UNITED STATES
www.designersandagents.com

D&A LOS ANGELES
16-18 march 2014
the new mart building
LOS ANGELES | UNITED STATES

 Humanoid AW13 Blanket Coat

Humanoid AW13 Coat